Monday 30th April 2007

Bruntingthorpe exclusive

Testing and trackday venue wins appeal over noise protestors to stay alive

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Brunters allowed to make the noise of car testing

We’ve had some heart-warming news this morning at PH. Bruntingthorpe aerodrome and proving ground has won its appeal against the issue of a Noise Abatement Notice by Harborough District Council. The judge has quashed the Abatement Notice, and the facility will find out whether it will be successful in recouping any of the substantial costs it has incurred fighting the case by the end of this week.

The facility had been under the pressure of virtual closure for over a year, after the council responded to complaints from a small number of local residents. Bruntingthorpe already operates a noise policy (98dB static/ 87.5dB drive-by) that rules out race cars unless they run heavy silencing, but the council issued the notice according to Bruntingthorpe on the basis that “if people can hear it, it’s too noisy”.

Bruntingthorpe responded by highlighting the permission given by the planning authority in 1973 as a venue for vehicle testing. The judge agreed, stating that anyone moving to an area near a facility such as Bruntingthorpe must expect to hear the noise of vehicle testing. Those complaining had moved to the area with full access to information on what the facility undertakes.

“We’re absolutely delighted”, said Bruntingthorpe owner Dave Walton, “and we’ll now be concentrating on building up a trackday and events diary for the year ahead. We’ll be sticking to our agreed noise limits of course, and in fact we’re investing heavily in noise monitoring equipment for the site. This last 12 months has been hell, and I now know the anguish that Elvington, Castle Combe and others have faced. Let’s hope that this decision sets a precedent for future appeals, as it clearly indicates that people should be aware of what to expect when moving next to already established facilities.”

Well done, Brunters…

[peter pan]

This sort of thing happens all too often, where `some' people move into an area and then try to get a place like Bruntingthorpe shut down because `they' dont like something about it. Happens often with airfields. But sometimes as in this case justice prevails. At an airfield I used to use, I had the temerity to do an instrument let down, but unfortunately popped out of the cloud right over the house of a virulent complainer. Even before I had landed he was on the phone, ranting, and before that had phoned the local authority, and his circle of co complainers so that they could have a go too, even though I was many miles from most of them. At a later meeting hosted by the council regarding the airfield, it turned out that Mr virulent had only moved into the area a few months earlier, and that in an independent survey of an area forming a circle of 15 miles radius from the airfield 3000 people stated that the airfields existence was NOT a problem. Those complaining against the airfield? Just 6. Result. the airfield stayed. Mr virulent went away. Why DO these people do it? If they know that these venues exist why do they try to move there and then get the venue shut down?

[dazren]

Sorry thread already running (PH tech dificulties).

www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&skin=phclassic&t=385689

Can you please copy your post over to the other thread?

thanks

DAZ
(moderator)